? on sewing Jellies & Charms with pinked edges??
 

I know I have read threads on this subject before but didn't realize that Robert Kaufman was a fabric company that pinked the edges on their precut. I am having difficult with stitching a straight and accurate 1/4". I have numerous layers of painter's tape but it doesn't seem to work with the pink edges. Any suggestion?? Working on making this pattern for charity lap quilts for men in wheelchair. THANKS

I have trouble with the pinked edges too. Logic says to use the inside of the pink but that doesn't seem right when I stitch them together. So my latest fix is slow but seems to work. Every other charm and then the jelly roll strips gets a pencil line on it marking the size it is supposed to be when finished...ie: 5" charm would measure a 4 1/2" square and the strips would be 2" after stitched. I stitch on the line. Yes, it is a time consuming project and no I don't think I like pinked edges...Good luck and like the pattern you are using. Good luck!

You measure the size of the block from the point on the pinking. Otherwise, you lose up to 1/2" if you measure from the inner v of the pinking.

Don't know the answer but love the quilt

It is easier to sew pinked fabrics if you have a 1/4" foot with the blade on the side.

..and yes, use the outside points as the edge, not the inside ones.....also if you cannot get a bladed 1/4"foot, get a strip of moleskin....sold at drug store....and mark that 1/4 line on the bed of your machine.....

Cute pattern. Did you check with the residence for preferred sizes for the lap quilts? I'm thinking rectangle might work better than a square - but I really don't know.

Very little experience with pinked edges.

I do love your pattern!

I love your quilt. Looks like you have done a perfect job. It's beautiful.

Thanks for the info. Yes, I have been using my 1/4" foot and when the seam looked crooked, I then have drawn a line. I don't know the facility these are going to. At our church meetings of quilters, we were are told approximate size which starts at 36"x36" Size varies depending on the size of the wheelchair and the individual. I will play with EQ and see how it looks as a rectangle. I originally was going to use white for the background but my best friend who is also a quilter suggested black. Not a fan of sewing on black due to poor eyesight.

I too have difficulty seeing black, but my reason is because of aging eyes. I find sewing on black at night the worst as far as seeing the edges. My solution.... I bought one of those cheapo student desk lamps (shade is shaped like a bullet) and put it behind my machine. I had to fiddle with the placement of the lamp so that it didn't reflect off the throat plate but once I found the right spot it helps me see the edge of my fabric so I get a more accurate 1/4'' seam. Now they have those small lights that you can stick onto your machine but they are more than I want to spend but I'm sure they would work as well as a desk lamp. The light on my machine just throws too many shadows.

I agree with Geri B and Mckwilter about using the top of the pointed edges of the pinking as the "edge' of the strip.

I do the same as dotti dodge all the time just to give me extra light - have a small lamp that I bought at Ikea for a very small cost that is ultra bright and I place it on the other side of the machine from me. I can direct the beam right to where I am sewing. Sewing black on black is hard whether day or night and I need the extra brightness.

Nancy Zieman, I believe has a pattern specifically for wheelchair quilt. it is an odd shape, less fabric on the sides from the knee down....so it doesn't get caught or rub the wheels....very simple, not as much fabric and not too bulky for the user.

how about a 'light' navy blue. I use this sometimes instead of black as it is easier to see to sew and also not so dark.

The pinked edge has never bothered me, I just see it as solid fabric with notches in it. The fabric edge is still there.

Love your design! Your lap quilt will be beautiful! Sorry that you are having trouble with the pinked edge. Frankly, I prefer sewing fabrics with a pinked edge, especially Kona cotton. I hate having to cut off all those fraying threads before sending a top to the LAQ. (I just leave the threads if I quilt myself.) I use a 1/4" foot with a blade on my Featherweight, have the top of the pinked edge next to the blade, and end up with perfect seams. I don't sew as fast on my Featherweight as I do on my Bernina. Maybe the slower speed helps me. Best wishes with your seams.

Here is an interesting wheelchair quilt. Maybe they would like something like this?

http://www.quiltingboard.com/links-r...ns-t62483.html

Beautiful quilt. Sorry you are having problems with the pinked edges. I don't have any suggestions other than what has already been given.

WOW !!!!! This quilt is beautiful. Love your colors. I would call this a happy quilt.

Gorgeous pattern! I've always gone with the outside edge of the pinking and that has not saved me from having to square up my blocks, make adjustments, take out seams, etc. I'm with you on sewing on black, but I just did a quilt for my son with gold quilting on the black border and oh it turned out so beautiful. Back to your original question, I will stay with sewing on the outside edge of the pinking and make the necessary adjustments as I have for the past twenty or so years. Which also brings the question, why is it necessary to have a piece that is 3 and 7/8 inches? That 1/8th is going to stop the world from spinning? There is a free pattern on Craftsy for an Inverted Star and it is absolutely gorgeous, but it also required that you make your measurements exactly as directed. It takes a little longer to check and recheck, but oh my gosh it was worth every minute.

Having once been in a wheelchair recovering from spinal surgery, I think a slightly longer quilt than a square would work, particularly if you are making the quilts for men. It's a very nice thing that you are doing, I'm sure they will be very appreciated.

Love the pattern! I hate working with pinked edges too--but measure from outside tip when I do use them.

Black would look great but I know what you mean about eyesight. I am working on a quilt top for past year and a half with black sashing and it's brutal on the eyes especially if you have to rippppp the stitches out. I now use a magnifier attachment to my machine. Didn't think I would ever use it but it is a godsend.
As far as the pinking edges I use the mountain peaks as the edge to sew my 1/4 in seam allowance.
I really like the pattern and colors as is.
Good luck!

Saw somewhere, Jenny or Nancy and they said to measure from top of pinking to get the quarter of an inch, so I will take their word for it. Love the quilt and pattern, does it have a name?

I use them all the time and agree that you measure from the point of the pinking.
Never had a problem.

Pinked edges are the reason I don't buy those pre-cut packs. That pinked edge is close to 1/4" deep so if you sew 1/4 from the outside of the pinked edge, you're only getting a few threads caught in your seam at that point. That just doesn't work for me. I know there are a lot of you that LOVE those packs..... I'll stick to my own cutting.